Every two years in local schools, students complete the state Healthy Youth Survey. Youth report on aspects of their physical and emotional well-being, which helps school and government officials and agencies like Youth Eastside Services (YES) stay in tune with what’s happening in their lives.
The 2012 survey revealed troubling responses regarding alcohol use locally. Among Eastside 12th graders:
• Thirty percent identified as heavy or problem drinkers (defined in the survey as drinking three to six times per week)
• Nearly 41 percent reported drinking alcohol during the 30 days prior to taking the survey
• One in four had been binge drinking the two weeks before
As Washington’s communities transition from limited days and hours for sales to 24/7 access to hard spirits in an increased number of stores, parental vigilance becomes even more critical — and complicated. Several new bills signed by the governor earlier this month expand access to alcohol even more. Effective July 28, movie theaters may sell beer, wine and spirits, and businesses that sell hard liquor will be allowed to offer on-site samples. Wine and beer sampling will also be allowed at farmers markets.
Of course, alcohol use among teens in our community is nothing new. Group sessions at YES remain filled with young people who talk about their struggles, and our drug and alcohol counselors see hundreds of individual clients each week.
Certain downsides of increased access are clear. Thefts have gone up significantly since hard liquor became available in grocery, drug and convenience stores. In the first seven months since the expansion of sales, the value of alcohol stolen was nine times greater than in the same period the year before.
This is reflected in what we’re hearing at YES. According to Dwayne Evans, drug and alcohol counselor at YES who assesses all new clients with substance issues, “Our clients are very forthcoming with us, and they admit to stealing alcohol when they can’t access it otherwise. Many have stolen liquor, more than beer, in the past year because it’s easily available and gives a faster buzz.”
Easier access offers both a challenge and an opportunity for parents. As I have previously mentioned in my column, communication using open-ended questions is a useful skill for any issue. For example, you could share this article with your teen, then walk through a few scenarios, asking, “What would you do if …”
• A beer gets passed down the row of your friends at a movie
• At a party, your friend brags that she brought liquor “minis” that she shoplifted from the drug store
• A farmers market vendor assumes you and your friends are over 21 and invites you to sample wine
These “what if” conversations allow teens “cover,” since they are responding to a hypothetical situation rather than being asked to incriminate a friend — or themselves. Listen closely, thank your child for sharing, and then reinforce your family’s boundaries and consequences for illegal consumption of alcohol.
I also urge every concerned citizen — parent or not — to report inappropriate action. If you suspect minors are being served or are sneaking alcohol at a store, the movies or a farmers market, let the manager know immediately. Businesses want to follow the state’s new laws and can’t be everywhere in their establishment as we adjust to the new realities.
Learn more at our free class What Parents Need to Know: Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Use/Abuse at 6 p.m. on June 12. Presented by Jennifer Namkoong, YES substance abuse and mental health counselor, you’ll discover 1) which substances are commonly used on the Eastside; 2) signs and symptoms of drug use/abuse; 3) risk factors for substance abuse; and 4) the importance of setting firm and healthy limits. This class will be held at YES, 999 164th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. Pre-registration is required at (425) 747-4937 or info@youtheastsideservices.org.
Patti Skelton-McGougan is the executive director of YES.
YES is a nonprofit organization and a leading provider of youth counseling and substance abuse services in the region. Since 1968, YES has been a lifeline for kids and families, offering treatment, education and prevention services to help youth become healthy, confident and self-reliant and families to be strong, supportive and loving. While YES accepts insurance, Medicaid and offers a sliding scale, no one is turned away for inability to pay. For more information, visit www.youtheastsideservices.org.
